If you feel as though you were born in the wrong body, you are not alone. There is no need to feel uncomfortable in your own skin. Dr. Arslanian offers his patients both Male To Female and Female To Male transgender reconstructive top surgery in order to help provide men and women the opportunity to have the body they were always meant to have. This transformative procedure can change the lives of many people who feel trapped in their current bodies.

We are here to break the model and give you the body that you were always destined to have. Make the first step in changing the rest of your life by contacting our office today and schedule a consultation. Your one on one meeting with Dr. Aslanian will leave you feeling at ease, knowing you are being taken care of by one of the best plastic surgeons in Atlanta, Georgia. Contact us today.

What is Transgender Top Surgery?

Transgender top surgery is a reconstructive procedure designed to provide the necessary breast changes for patients who are interested in transforming their bodies towards the sex that they identify as. Not all women and men were born in the bodies are meant to be in and this can cause a massive decline in confidence and a negative impact on the person’s quality of life.

Transgender top surgery allows men to rid themselves of the unwanted breasts and excess tissue, creating a more masculine, sculpted chest. For women, this procedure uses augmentation techniques to create breast pockets in which implants will be placed into, creating a voluminous feminine bust.

These two forms of transgender top surgeries have helped many men and women within the transgender community to feel more confident in themselves and finally feel as though they are in the body they were always meant to be in. We are here to help the outside appearance match the inside feeling, helping to improve a person’s overall quality of life. Everyone deserves to feel like their true self. The first step to achieving your bodily goals is to contact our office today and set up a consultation.

Types of Transgender Top Surgery

For each type of top surgery, MTF and FTM, there are a few different techniques within each category which patients can choose from, depending on their particular needs and goals. Dr. Arslanian has developed surgical techniques that he uses in order to help each and every one of his patients feel and be their best selves. The particular procedures and techniques used are as listed below:

Male To Female (MTF)

The male to female top surgery procedure was designed as a solution for transgender women or non-binary transgender people who are looking to obtain a more feminine appearance. This is done through breast augmentation with the use of either saline or silicone implants to enhance the overall size and shape of the patient’s breasts. The procedure is performed by creating a pocket in the chest that will be used for the implant. The methods used for this breast augmentation procedure are very similar to a traditional breast augmentation. However, it is important for the patient to understand that the size of breast implant should be determined by the amount of skin on the chest. Besides this, the majority of the decisions that must be made for this procedure are standard, such as choice of implant and if the implant will be placed above or below the muscle.

When deciding to undergo this procedure, patients must consider their implant options; generally, patients have an option between saline or silicone breast implants. A saline implant is a silicone shell that is then filled with a saline solution. Silicone implants, on the other hand, are filled with a silicone gel that has a “gummy” texture, allowing it to provide patients with a more natural-looking bust. When considering either of these implants, it is best to weigh both of the options with Dr. Arslanian in order to determine what is best for the individual patient’s needs.

The second decision to be made when undergoing MTF augmentation procedure is to determine whether patients would prefer to have the implant placed on top or underneath the breast muscles. Each option provides different results; however, patients do find that over the muscle has been found to give a very natural look. The underlying masculine chest muscle will be concealed this way. However, during the consultation, the doctor will further explain the details of each placement option.

Female To Male (FTM)

The female to male reconstructive top surgery is designed for transgender males who are looking to remove their breasts and sculpt a more masculine chest, clinically known as bilateral mastectomy. This is done by either the keyhole technique or the double incision technique, depending on the amount of breast tissue the patient has. Both techniques, however, achieve the same goal – to create a more masculine and chiseled physique. The procedure, in general, involves the removal of breast tissue, excess skin, as well as resizing, reshaping, and repositioning the areola or nipple. When coming in for the consultation, Dr. Arslanian will explain which technique would be most suitable for your particular body. The main goal of this procedure is to assist patients in aligning their external features with their internal self.

Keyhole

The keyhole technique is designed for patients who have a smaller amount of breast tissue, normally an A or B cup size, to remove this tissue and create a more masculine chest. This is done by creating a small incision near the areola, leaving it partially attached in order to maintain sensation and blood supply. Then the fat and excess tissue are removed, normally through a form of liposuction, and afterward, the incisions are closed. Because of the minimal amount of tissue in the breast region, this procedure is one of the more quick and painless forms of top surgery.

Double Incision

The double incision technique is meant for patients who have a moderate to large amount of breast tissue residing within the chest region. For this more extensive surgery, incisions will be made below the nipple, on both sides of the chest. The skin is then pulled down in order for the mammary glands and excess tissue to be removed. Minimal amounts of liposuction may be needed if the fatty tissue is not easily removed. After the tissue is removed, the excess skin can then be removed and the incisions can be closed. Patients will see more scarring from this technique, as it does cover a larger amount of breast tissue.

Candidates

The ideal candidate for a transgender top surgery would be someone in good health who maintains a good diet and exercise regime. Patients that are looking to undergo this transformative surgery are looking to change their external characteristics, specifically the chest area, in order for them to be inline with their internal sense of self. We also ask all of our patients to have realistic expectations of the overall outcomes.

There is no reason to continue feeling uncomfortable in your own skin or feel that your body does not express who they truly are. If you are looking into either form of top surgery discussed above, we encourage you to come in for a consultation and discuss your options! We look forward to meeting you.

Transgender Top Surgery Consultation

Because no two patients are the same, this means that the procedures will never be the same.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Arslanian will begin by asking the patient about their particular goals. He will then review medical history, current medications that are being taken, and any previous surgeries. Once this is done, the doctor will then perform a physical examination in order to determine candidacy and ensure that transgender top surgery would be beneficial in achieving the patient’s particular goals. After gathering all of this information, the doctor can then work with them to build an individualized treatment plan.

Before leaving the office, patients who are candidates will have the option to schedule their procedure and with doing so will receive their list of preparatory instructions to follow leading up to the surgery. This list most commonly instructs patients who are smokers to quit 3 weeks prior to their surgery as smoking can hinder the body’s ability to heal efficiently. Patients will also be advised to refrain from taking any anti-inflammatory medications for about 2 weeks before their procedure. If patients have any questions during this time, we encourage them to call our office and our friendly and knowledgeable staff and ready and willing to help in any way possible.

Procedure

Depending on the procedure, the surgery takes between 2-4 hours and is performed on an outpatient basis. Before starting the procedure, Dr. Arslanian will make the proper incision markings on the chest to ensure complete accuracy and precision during the surgery. Once the procedure is about to begin, our certified anesthesiologist will administer the general anesthetic in order to provide complete comfort throughout the entire surgery. Once the patient is asleep, Dr. Arslanian will make the necessary incisions to begin the transformation. The procedure will vary depending on the patient and which top surgery they are undergoing. Once the particular goals of the patient have been met, Dr. Arslanian will close the incisions and a compression garment will be wrapped around the treated area. The patient will then be taken to the recovery area to be monitored before being released to go home.

Recovery and Results

Patients will be in the recovery room until they are released by the doctor to return home.

Dr. Arslanian recommends that patients walk, but only a minimal amount, to help improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. The compression garment placed after surgery should be kept on throughout the recovery stage as it will help with swelling and any possible bruising that may arise. If patients have any further questions or concerns during this time, our helpful staff is here to assist in any way they can.

Results for transgender male and females will be instantly apparent. However, both patients may experience swelling throughout the treated region during the healing stage. The full results can be seen 4 to 6 months after the procedure. Once fully healed, patients are ready to take their new life by storm! If you have been looking into transgender top surgery and are located in the Atlanta, Georgia region, contact us today. Let Dr. Arslanian help you look and feel the way you deserve.